Rooppur project to employ 30,000 workers
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) has created employment opportunities for nearly 30,000 people. Among them, around 5,000 are foreign nationals, mainly engineers, specialists, and workers from countries including Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
At present, approximately 25,000 local people are employed in various positions under different domestic and international organizations associated with the project. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are benefiting directly and indirectly from this mega project.
The impact of the Rooppur project has brought visible socio-economic changes across a wide surrounding region, including Pabna, Natore, and Kushtia. Infrastructure development, expansion of trade and commerce, and the rise of modern urbanization have transformed the landscape of the entire locality.
The “Green City” area in Sahapur Union of Ishwardi Upazila and the Rooppur project zone in Pakshi Union were once covered with bushes, forests, and sandy char lands, with very limited settlements. Over time, those once-isolated areas have now evolved into bustling centers of modern housing and economic activity. Recalling the past, 90-year-old Akal Sardar of Diyar Sahapur village said, “At one time, people were afraid to come to the Green City area. We heard it was a sanctuary for snakes and scorpions. When the site was selected for the Rooppur project in 1961, some buildings were constructed. But since they remained unused for a long time, they were abandoned, and gradually the whole area turned into a jungle.”
Himel Hossain, a young man educated in Russia, is currently working as an interpreter at a shop in front of Green City. Shop owner Md. Sabuj Chowdhury said, “Since hiring an interpreter.
communication with foreign customers has become easier, and sales have increased significantly.”
Russian engineer Andrei Bebekov, who has been living in Green City for the past five years, said, “The people here are extremely sincere and cooperative. They treat foreigners very well and do not resort to deception.”
Former Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and the first Project Director of the Rooppur project, Dr. Shoukat Akbar, said, “This project is not just a power plant; it is a symbol of Bangladesh’s technological capability and economic progress. With skilled manpower and proper management, it will play an important role in addressing the country’s electricity shortage.”
He further added, “This is a historic step for Bangladesh toward carbon-free electricity generation. With the commencement of fresh fuel loading in Unit-1 on April 28, the country has moved one step closer to entering the nuclear era.”
It is worth mentioning that fuel loading activities at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant officially began last Tuesday. After completing various stages of testing and inspection, the first unit is expected to begin full-capacity electricity generation by February next year, according to relevant sources.
